*Kolyada (Kohl-YAH-da) - The Winter Solstice.The word has similar roots with the Roman word "calendae" which meant the first 10 days of any month, as well as the word "Kolo" or wheel (Koleso, in Russian) - much like the word "Yule" is an Anglo-Saxon word for wheel. The holiday was filled with revelry. Processions of people masked like animals and cross-dressers roamed the village. Often they were accompanied by a "goat"- a goat's head, either real or (usually) made and stuffed on a stick. The person holding the "goat" would be covered by a blanket to play the part. Sometimes a child on horseback - symbol of the reborn sun - would accompany them; the horse was often played by two young men in horses costumes. One of the wenders would carry a spinning solar symbol, internally lit by a candle, on a stick. Later, after Christianity entered the scene, the spinning "sun" became a star. See more at this link of Slavic Holidays.

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Coming back from Odin Teatret in October was expectedly propitious. The history of a theatrical ensemble existing for over 40 years, which is still creatively instigating transformation with the system of performance barters in various 3rd world countries and beyond, with the social engagement in their hometown of Holstebro, with the development of a sense of community of the ancient order, with the deep investigation of the art of the performer, - is beyond inspiring, it's purpose-affirming for our group.

We are like baby elephants looking up to Matriarchs: Odin, Gardzienice, Maly Teatr, Derevo. It's an exciting time, Artel is living in the throat of the sociopathic America, in the region of Los Angeles, which spins Maya's tales, like the media siren-slut that she is. Oh, America, you greedily destroy nature, culture, memory, in the name of the bottom line, as those bottoms are getting fatter and fatter!